The International Day of Older Persons was solemnly marked at the Day Center and Club for Older Persons “Igor Holodkov” in Belgrade with the awarding of prizes and an exhibition of the best children’s works submitted to the competition of the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality “Bridge of Understanding – Intergenerational Solidarity”.
With mature storytelling talent, precise brushstrokes, and sharp eye of the lens, young authors show most charmingly the beauty of togetherness and warm relations between different generations, but also that only together we can build bridges that will connect us and future generations. With emotional works that teach but at the same time warn, young people show us year after year that they fully recognize the problems that arise when there is a lack of solidarity, tolerance, and understanding between generations, Brankica Janković, Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, pointed out.
The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, with the support of the UN Population Fund, has traditionally announced a contest for the best literary work, artwork, and photography on the topic of “Bridge of Understanding – Intergenerational Solidarity”, and this year over 450 elementary school students from all over Serbia responded. According to the evaluation of the expert jury, the common thread in all categories is a highly artistic narration, a very emotional approach to the topic, honestly recounted personal experiences, and pragmatism in the context, which are interesting ways of expressing solidarity.
In the Literary work category, the first prize went to Milica Zec (ES “Đorđe Natošević”, Grade 8, Novi Slankamen), the second prize was won by Lana Lončar (ES “Vuk Karadžić”, Grade 6/3, Crvenka), while the third place went to Petra Paunović (ES “Rade Končar”, Grade 6/1, Zemun).
In the Art category, the first prize went to Sara Bošnjak (ES “Petar Kočić”, Grade 7, Banatski Despotovac), second place went to Teodora Arsić (ES “Branko Radičević”, Grade 8/1, Pančevo), and third place to Filip Cerovski, (ES “Jan Amos Comenski”, Grade 6/b, Kulpin – Bački Petrovac).
In the Photography category, the first prize went to Jovan Stanković (ES “Dositej Obradović”, Grade 6, Orahovac), the second prize was won by Luka Vujić (ES “Nikolaj Velimirović”, Grade 6/5, Šabac), while the third place went to Sergej Lovre, (ES “Jan Amos Comenski”, Grade 7, Kulpin – Bački Petrovac).
This year, the jury also awarded a special award to Sofija Rakić (ES “Branko Radičević”, Grade 7, Melnica – Petrovac na Mlavi), whose works were ranked among the best last year, for exceptional talent and creativity in the display of intergenerational solidarity.
In addition to Commissioner Janković, Minister of Education, Slavica Đukić Dejanović, Head of the Office of the United Nations Population Fund for Serbia, Borka Jeremić, and Director of the Gerontological Center Belgrade, Srđan Dimitrijević, also spoke at the ceremony. The prizes were provided by friends of the event, UniCredit Bank, and the publishing house “Laguna”, and a bilingual collection of the best children’s works “The Bridge of Understanding – Intergenerational Solidarity” was also presented.
